A Modern Take on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"

From “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens

Men seeking donations for the poor: “At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and the destitute. Many thousands are in want of common comfort, Sir.”

Scrooge: “Are there no prisons? And union workhouses are they still in operation?”

Men: “At this festive season, a few of us are endeavoring to raise a fund to buy the poor some meat and drink and means of warmth.”

Scrooge: “I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I support the establishments I have mentioned, and those who are badly off must go there.”

Men: “Many cannot go there. And, frankly, many would rather die.”

Scrooge: “Then they had better do it and decrease the surplus population.”

My Take: Maybe it’s just me, but does anyone else think that the GOP is just a bunch of Scrooges. They really would rather let the poor starve and die…yet they cling to being superior Christians. Christ made all of his disciples give away all their material possessions to follow him.

The Gospel according to Matthew 5:3-10

• Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
• Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.
• Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
• Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
• Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
• Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
• Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

These are the eight beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. When I interpret this reading, I believe that peacemakers (verse 9)are those that seek to end war and conflict here on earth (UNLIKE the war mongers of US Congress) I also read that those who suffer persecution for justice’ sake are the GLBT community and Immigrants who only seek equality and human rights (verse 10). I read the meek as the single mother who works in a restaurant and has food stamps and Medicaid to care for her children (verse 4). Lastly I believe that if Jesus were to take a stand on Political Issues, he would be a “Bleeding Heart Liberal.” (Pun intended).